Reel and adapter therefor



Oct. 28, 1952 A. BARsAM, JR 2,615,643

REEL No ADAPTER THEREFOR Filed pm 2s, 1951 7.6 s f4 gz/imag 3 .95101 10.5 05

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Patented Oct. 28, 1952 y l 2,615,643 1 REEL AND ADAPTER yafirmaron Arthur Barsai, er., Los Angeles, Calif. Application April 2k3, '1951, Serial No..222,'456 I My invention relates generally to photographic and other recording equipmentand more r.particularly to a separable reel and adapter whichv s claims. (ci. 24a- 7p interlock with a standard supply spool to greatlyV facilitate processing and transportation of nlm.

A preferred embodiment of my inventionk is particularly advantageous in connection Withinoe. tion picture or cinema film and will be described with referencesthereto. However, the invention i is not so limited, and may also be used with spooled recording tape and the like, as will be ob vious to those skilled in the art.

In my Patent No. 2,430, 598, issued November 1'1,

1947, for Spindla I have disclosed a spindle which is adapted to fit interchangeably with either of the two types of film spools commonly used. Some spools have an inwardly projecting key for loading in the lm magazine of a camera, while others have a recessed keyway to Vlit different kinds of cameras.` By the use of my prior invention, any camera mechanism may be con-`A verted for loading with either'type of film spoolv to avoid the necessity and inconvenience of obltaining a particular, type. Myy present invention is partly concerned with an extensionof the same problem in conjunction with processed film, and to a greater extent relates to the problem of film handling in general. s v

After the nlm has been developed and processed, it is sent to a lm exchange and wound on suitable reels. Thereafter the iilm and reel are always shipped together, and the dead weightl of, l

the reel increases Vthe load to a considerable extent. l Furthermore, the reel requires a diierent container from that originally supplied with the film because ofy its necessarily larged dimen'f sion. To avoid thisincreased load, the film is,

sometimes wound from ther reel onto a standard' spool and then rewound onto reels at the destination. As can be understood, this is a time-consuming and inconvenientv operation at best. `vBy providing my improved two-part reel, the filmis V Another object of my invention is-to provide a `rient;

vadapter mechanism. 4 f

separable reel having a4 singleadapter which nts interchangeably with either of the types of standard -lm spools. l

v It is also an object ,of my invention to provi-def4 a separable reel which is positively locked together by quick-connect means to facilitate its use. .r

A further object of my invention is to provide 41 a preferred andmodified form of adapter mecha-v nism for use on either 16 mm. or 35 mm. reels.

l Still another object of my invention is t0 pro'y vide .a separable reel which is simple and inex-` I pensive to manufacture .and is effective in opera.

tion. I 1,

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from thefollowingwdescription of a preferredand modified form thereof, and from an inspection ofy the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.l 1 is a perspective view of a preferred formy of assembled reel;

Fig..2 is a partial section taken in the direction 2-2`ofFig. rl; u

Fig. 43 is a right-angular section taken along the line 3-3 of'Fig. 2;y

nism;

Fig.y 5 is a partial body;

Fig. .7 is a section taken` alongthe line "l-flfof Fig-,8 is a section taken along the' une a--s 'of Fig. 6; and l K n Fig. 9 is an :exploded view rof the Referring now to the drawingaand particue. ,y

1arlyto Fig. l thereof, the numeralv IU designates a preferred form of my reel. Apair of circular x sides formedqas, front `and'rear plates vI I iand I2, y

respectively, are mounted ony a central spindle adapter .I4 so as to guide andconfine the edgesv of a roll of iilm or tape F wound therebetween.4

Thereel-sides II and `I2 Aare each provided with large; peripherally spaced openings I3 in the con-l ventional manner, tofacilitate observation of the fllm- F. A spindle shaft I5 extends forwardly from a unity of conventional projection equipment and passes throughthe spindle adapter. I4 to roltatably support thegreel I0 for winding or unv' Fig. 4 is an exploded View of the adapter mecha-v rear elevation of they adapter` Fig. 61s a. seetionftaken througna modindrrm of adapter mechanism;

modified 3, the adapter IA:

A standard 16 mm. a iyiil'm spool IB- is. removably fitted on the adaptery I4 to lie between the reel sides and I2. The spool I6 is formed typically as a light drum supported by a spider from a centrally disposed tubular hub which surrounds the adapter I4. The external surface of the drum I6 is provided with an angular slot I1 to engage with the inner end of the film strip F which is then wound in a roll around the outer drum-like surface. The hub of the spool I6 is of standardized internal diameter to fit closely on the adapter I4, and in this case is provided with a keyway I8 to lock with key means projecting from the adapter. As will later be described, the spool I6 may in some cases have an inwardly projecting key in place of the keyway I8, and, of course, may be of a size for a different film width.

In order that the spool I6 may be mounted and removed from the adapter I4, it is necessary that the reel sides and |2 separate so that the spool may slide over one end of the adapter. The adapter I4 is formed as two separable body members 20 and 2| which are held in coaxial align-4 ment and are normally joined by quick-connect.

means. The front reel side I I is rigidly mounted on the member 20 and the rear side I2 is mounted on themember 2| so that they extend normal to the rotational axis of the reel.` The front bodyv member 20 is formed as a short tubulary body, while the rear member 2| is elongated to prop-` erly space apart the sides I I and I2. Thus; it is evident that with the members 20 and 2| separated, the spool IB may slide freely over the rear member 2|, and will be interlocked between thev spindle shaft I5 and is typically square aslmanyl of such shafts are provided with a .partially raised square driving shank 25, as seen in Fig. 4. An external shoulder 2E is cut into the rear face of the body member 2| to abut the reel side I2 which is locked firmly onto the reduced end ofthe body by suitable fastening means, suchlas threads 21.

The front adapter body is a short disk-like member having a reduced hub or flange whichv extends rearwardly and is formed to fit slidably within the chamber 22. The flange 30 has an internal lip 3| which defines an annular locking groove 32 abutting a forward wall 33. The wall 33 is bored at 34 to receive the leading end of the spindle shaft I5 which projects therethrough. An external shoulder 35 is cut into the forward face of the body 20 to brace the reel side I I which is locked firmly onto the reduced end of the body by fastening means such as the threads 31. A lock screw 38 may also be engaged in the reel side I I and body 20 to resist unthreading of these members.

In order to connect the members 20 and 2|, a pair iof pivoted latch members 40 and 4| are mounted within the chamber 22 and are movable outwardly to engage in the locking groove 32.

The latch members 40 and 4I are spaced apart'. in opposed relationship and extend longitudinally .I

rubber or synthetic rubber, and of substantial thickness so that the latch members are pressed inwardly with considerable force. A keeper ring 44 is formed integral with the body 2| and serves to hold the annulus 43 in proper axial position. The action of the annulus 43 is such as to pivot the latch members 4l)l and 4| inwardly towards the axis of the body 2|, as is indicated by the phantom outline of Fig. 3.

On the forward ends of the latch members 40 and 4| are outturned arms 45 and 46, respectively, which are of such Width as to fit closely within the locking groove 32. When the latches 40 and 4| are pivoted inwardly, the arms 45 and 48 are sufficiently close together so as to pass within the lip 3| of the forward body member 20. This is the connecting position of the members 20 and 2|, and the flange 3D slides freely within the chamber 22. The complete reel I8 is then seated on the spindle shaft I5. As the shaft |5 enters the chamber 22, the latch members 40 and 4| are wedged apart by the surface of the shaft. The arms 45 and 46 enter the locking groove 32 and the reel sides II and I2 are held firmly against separation. As can be understood, the removal of the reel I0 fromthe shaft I5 allows the reel sides II and I2 t0 be separated without any iurther operations. Thus, the quick-connect means which` I provide are both simple and foolproof in operation.

For the purpose of preventing .relative rotation between the reel sides |V and `I2, opposed detents 41 may be provided on the forward edge of the body member 2|, as is'best seen in Fig. 4. The detents 4l are adapted to register with notches 48 cut in the body member 20 so as to hold the body'members against rotation after assembly. In this manner the reel sides I and I2 are positively locked against relative rotation.

It will be remembered that the spool I5 was provided with an internal keyway I8 to interlock with projecting means formed on the adapter I4 and hold the spool against rotation thereon. A resiliently urged -key 50 similar to those disclosed in my aforementioned patent projects from the adapter body 2| to engage with the keyway I8. A longitudinal slot 5I is cut in the side of the body 2| outside of the chamber 22, as is best seen in Fig. 4. The key 5U is mounted within the slot 5I for sliding movement in a radial direction and has an outer forwardly tapered edge 52. On the innerend of the key 50 are lateral projections 53 which limit the outward movement of the key by engaging against the wall of the chamber 22, and also serve as footings to support the key on the resilient member 43. The key 50 is normally held outwardly by the resilience of the member 43 in a position to engage with the keyway I8 and lock the spool I6 against rotation on the adapter I4.

As was previously mentioned, the spools I6 are of twostandard types, having either the keyway I8 or a complemental key which projects inwardly. For the purpose of receiving such a key, I provide the outer surface of the adapter I 4 with a longitudinal keyway 55 spaced suitably from thekeyslot 5|. When the second type of spool is supplied, the keyway 55 servesto interlock with the spool key to hold the Spool against rotation on the adapter. I4. The resiliently urged key 50 is pressed-inwardly by the camming action of the spool hub on the tapered surface 52, and the key moves-into a position flush with the'surface of the body 2| so as not to interfere with the Seating of the spool. It is therefore evident that the adapter I 4 is able to receive either of the standard types of spools with equal facility.

In Figs. 6 to 9, I have illustrated a modie form o'f reel 69 which is generally-similar tothe preferred form. The reel 60 includes -a pair of reel sides BI and 62 mounted on a central spindle adapter 64 which is somewhat'y different frornthe light drum having a hub of standardized internalv diameter to t closely on the adapter 64, and in this case, is provided with an inwardly'projecting key 68 which interlocks with the adapter, as is best seen in'Fig. '7.

In order to separate the reel sides 6| and-62 so that the spool 66 may be positioned,r the adapter 64 is made in two parts, front and back members I0 and 'II, respectively. Both the front and rear members 'I0-SII are formed as elongated tubular bodies which meet centrally within `the spool 66 and are connected` by latch means similar to that used in the preferred form.r The body member has a forward external shoulder 'I2 and threaded stud 'I3 to seat the reel side 6|, and the rear body member |I has a similar shoulder.|4 and stud I5 for engagement with the reel side 62. rThe sides 6I and 62 are thus held rigidly perpendicular to therotational axis of the adapter 64.

The key means for engagement with the nlm spool vhave a construction which is generally similar to that used in the preferred form. The body member II is bored to form a chamber 80 which extends rearwardly to a vertical wall 8|. In the center of the wall 8| is a reduced aperture 82 which is formed to t slidably with ,a spindle shaft, suchas is shown in the phantom outline ci Fig. 6. The chamber 80 is divided centrally by a shallow keeper ring 83 Ywhich projects asmall distance inwardly from the peripheral Wall of the chamber. A resilient annular member 84 is mounted in the rear portion of the chamber 8|! and is held against axial movement by thekeeper ring 83. l l

A longitudinal slot 85 is out in the side of the body II outside of the chamber 8|!asy is best seen in Fig. 9. A key 86 is mounted in the slot 85 for radial sliding movement, and has an outer forwardly tapered edge 87. On the inner end of the key 86 are lateral projections 88-which limit the outward movement of the key by engaging To accommodate the type of spool 66 having 'the internal key 68, the body members 'I8 `'and II are provided with a longitudinal keyway 89 on the external surface thereof. The key B8 slides freely into the keyway 89 to hold the spool 65 against rotation on the adapter 64. Meanwhile, the key surface al' is cammed inwardlyv by the spool hub so thatthe key 86 is moved tothe ush position and does not interfere with the seating of the spool. In the event that a standard spool having a keyway is supplied, such as is Principally, the

' means for actuation of the latching means.

`illustrated in conjunction with the preferred form of the device, theresiliently urgedkey 86 enters the keyway to lock the spool against rotation. It is thus evident, that the modified form of adapter Will interlock interchangeably with either type of lm spool in a manner similar to that of the y preferred form.

The front body member 'I0 has a rearwardly opening chamber 90 which extends to a front wall 9|. An opening 92 of reduced size is formed in the wall 9 I'to journal the previously mentioned spindle shaft which is extended through the reel.

In the front portion of thek chamber 90 is an inwardly projecting lip or ring 93 which defines an annular locking groove 94 adjacent the wall 9|. The rear end of the body I0 seats flush with the adjacent end of the body 'II so that the chambers 80 and 90 are in openvcommunication.

As was previously mentioned, the major differencebetween' the adapter 64 and the `preferred adapter I4 is the provision of separate resilient In order to connect the members 'I0 and a hub or sleeve 95 projects forwardlyv from the member 'II to it slidably within the chamber f90.'r vThe rear portion of the sleeve 95 is externally threaded at 96 to engage firmly with threads 9'! formed in the forward end of the chamber 80. Thus, kthe sleeve 95 is firmly seated within the member 1|. Extending through the sleeve 95 is an axial bore 98 which is formed to fit closely around the spindle shaft of the projection equipment. A diam'etrically cut slot 99 extends through rthe forward portion of the sleeve`95 and intersects with the axial bore 98,` as may be seen in Fig'. 9. Pivotally mounted'in the slot 99 are a pair ofopposed latch members |00 and I 0| positioned for sliding movement in the radial l vwithin a'deep annular groover |05 cut externally into the sleeve 95. The resilient member |04 is preferably formed as a coil spring wound yinto Yan annular ring rand connected as an endless band. The latch members'IIlO and IUI are rnorythe .axial bore 98.

.mally urged inwardly by-the resilient member |04 so that the forward ends thereof lie within The forward end ofthe sleeve 95 is reduced externally to form a head |06 which will slide within the front 'chamber lip 93, and

- preventrelative rotationbetween the members` allow the forward ends of the latch members |00 and IOI to register with the locking groove 94.r

Outwardly projecting arms |01 and |08-are formed on the tipsof the latch membersv |00 and |0I, respectively, kto move'outwardly and lock f within the groove 94.

As aV spindle shaft is passed through the axial bore98, the latch members |00 and IIJI are -wedged outwardly to force the latch arms |01 l'il4 and H, cooperating edge notches I I0 and I |I vare cut in thesefmembers adjacent a stud ||2 'which is threadedly engaged with the sleeve 95.

reel is extremely simple. The film wound on a standard spool is transported in its original container to the location of the projection equipment. The reel sides are separated, and the film spool is slipped over the spindle adapter mounted on one of the reel sides. The opposite reel side is then moved into connecting position, confining the film in place. The complete reel is then mounted on the spindle shaft of the desired projection equipment, and the reel sides are locked together with the quick-connect means, as has been described. Thus it is evident that numerous rewinding operations can be avoided by the use of my device, and a substantial economy may be effected.

Although I have shown preferred and modified forms of my invention which are fully capable of carrying out the aforementioned objects and advantages, it is apparent that many modifications of design and construction will be apparent to -those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of my invention. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the details of construction herein described, except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A reel of the class described which includes: a first reel side; a second reel side; spindle means connected to said reel sides and holding said reel sides in spaced parallel relationship, said spindle means being formed to seat a spool having an internal key extending therefrom and also to seat a spool having a keyway therein, and said spindle means having an axial bore to receive a spindle shaft therein; and latching means mounted on said spindle means, said latching means being held in position latching said spindle means by said spindle shaft and moving to a position releasing said spindle means for separation of said reel sides upon withdrawal of said shaft, whereby either one of said spools is mountable on said spindle means.

2. A reel of the class described which includes: a first reel side; a second reel side; two-part spindle means connected t said reel sides for holding said reel sides in spaced parallel relationship, said spindle means being formed to seat a spool thereon and to receive a spindle shaft; and latching means mounted on said spindle means and operatively associated with said spindle shaft, said latching means being held by said shaft in a position locking said spindle parts together, and being movable to a position releasing said spindle parts upon withdrawal of said shaft.

3. A reel of the class described which includes: a first reel side; a second reel side; a first spindle member connected to said first reel side and projecting therefrom; a second spindle member connected to said second reel side and engageable with said first member to hold said reel sides in spaced parallel relationship, said members being formed to seat a spool having an internal key extending therefrom, and also to seat a. spool having a, keyway therein, and said members being axially bored to receive a spindle shaft therein; latching means mounted on one of said members and engageable with the other of said members to lock said members together, said latching means being held in a locking position by said spindle shaft and being movable to a position releasing said members upon withdrawal of said spindle shaft; and resilient means urging said latching means to said releasing position.

4. A reel of the class described which includes:

a first reel side; a second reel side; a first spindle member connected to said first reel side Aand projecting therefrom, said spindle member having an internal chamber and an axial bore therethrough; a second spindle member connected to said second reel side and engageable with said first member to hold said reel sides in spaced parallel relationship, said second member having an internal chamber including a, locking groove and an axial bore therethrough to align with said first member bore and receive a spindle shaft therein, and said members being formed externally to seat a spool thereon; latching means mounted in said first spindle chamber and movable from. a position obstructing said axial bore to a position clear from said bore and engaging said locking groove to lock said members together; and annular resilient means urging said latching means to said obstructing position, said resilient means yielding upon the insertion of said spindle shaft to move said latching means to said groove locking position.

5. A reel of the class described which includes: a first reel side; a second reel side; a first cylindrical spindle member connected to said first reel side and projecting therefrom; a second cylindrical spindle member connected to said second reel side and engageable with said first spindle member to hold said reel sides in spaced parallel relationship, one of said members having an internal chamber and va radially extending slot opening therein, and said members being axially bored to receive a spindle shaft therein; a spoolengaging key slidably mounted in said slot and formed with internal lateral projections to limit the outward movement of said key upon contact with the wall of said member; a latch pivotally mounted within said chamber and movable in a plane through said spindle axis from an inner position obstructing said axial bore to an outer position engaging the other of said members and holding said members together; and resilient means for urging said key outwardly and said latch to said inner position, said resilient means yielding upon the insertion of the spindle shaft to move said latch to said outer position.

6. A reel of the class described which includes: a first circular reel side; a second circular reel side; a first cylindrical spindle member connected to said first reel side and projecting along the axis thereof, said member having an axial bore therethrough and an open end chamber at one end communicating with a radially extending slot; a second cylindrical spindle member connected to said second reel side and formed to align with said first member to hold said reel sides in spaced parallel relationship, said second member having an axial bore therethrough and an open-ended chamber provided with a locking groove and positioned to communicate with said first spindle chamber; a reduced hub projecting from one of said members and adapted to slidably engage the other of said members to hold said members in alignment; means connected with said members for locking engagement to prevent relative rotation therebetween; a spoolengaging key slidably mounted in said radial slot and formed with internal lateral projections to limit the outward movement of said key upon contact with the wall of said member; a pair of opposed latches pivotally mounted in said first spindle chamber and movable in a plane through said spindle axis from an inner position obstructing said axial bore to an outer position out of said bore, each of said latches having an outer arm to engage said locking groove in said second spindle member to hold said members together; and annular resilient means urging said key outwardly and said latches to said inner position, said resilient means yielding upon the insertion of a spindle shaft in said axial bore to move said latches to said outer position.

7. A reel of the class described which includes: a first circular reel side; a second circular reel side; a tubular spindle body connected to said first reel side and projecting forwardly on the axis thereof, said body having a forwardly opening chamber and a rear aperture adapted to receive a spindle shaft, the wall of said chamber having a radially extending slot therethrough; a disc-like spindle body connected to said second reel side and having a reduced skirt projecting rearwardly on the axis thereof to slidably engage said tubular spindle body and hold said reel sides spaced apart, said skirt having an internal lip dening an annular locking groove, and said disc-like spindle body having a forward aperture to receive said spindle shaft, said tubular body having an external keyway to receive a spool key therein; a pair of pivoted latch members mounted in said spindle chamber in opposed relationship, said members being rearwardly pivoted for movement in a plane through said spindle axis from an inner converging position to an outer position parallel to said axis, each of said members having a forward arm to engage in said locking groove to hold said bodies together upon movement to said outer position; a spool-engaging key slidably mounted in said radial slot and formed with internal lateral projections to limit the outward movement of said key upon contact with the wall of said body; and a resilient annulus surrounding said latch members forwardly of said pivoted ends and spaced below said key, whereby to urge said key outwardly and said latch members to said inner position.

8. A reel ofthe class described which includes: a rst circular reel side; a second circular reel side; a first tubular spindle body connected to said first reel side and projecting forwardly on the axis thereof, said body having a forwardly opening chamber and a rear aperture adapted to receive a spindle shaft, the wall of said chamber having a radially extending slot therethrough; a second tubular body connected to said second reel side and projecting rearwardly on the axis thereof, said body having an internal lip defining an annular locking groove and a forward aperture to receive said spindle shaft, both of said bodies having external keyways aligned to receive a spool key therein; a reduced block mounted in said first body and projecting forwardly therefrom to slidably engage said second body and hold said reel sides spaced apart, said block havV ing an axial bore therethrough; a spool-engaging key slidably mounted in said radial slot and formed with internal lateral projections to limit the outward movement of said key upon contact with the wall of said body; a resilient annulus spaced below said key within said first body chamber to urge said key outwardly; a pair of pivoted latch members mounted in said block in opposed relationship, said members being rearwardly pivoted for movement in a plane through said spindle axis from an inner converging position to an outer position parallel to said axis, each of said members having a forward arm to engage in said locking groove to hold said bodies together upon movement to .said outer position; and a resilient annular member surrounding said latch members in said block forwardly of said pivoted ends to urge said members to said inner position.

ARTHUR BARSAM, J n.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,503,896 Harris Aug. 5, 1924 2,053,815 De Panthou et al. Sept. 8, 1936 2,116,735 Stevens May 10, 1938 

